Hi Friends,
Mark your calendars! On February 27, pet lovers from all across the country are promoting Spay Day 2007. This event is a national campaign that promotes spaying and neutering as the most humane and effective way to help end the plight of millions of homeless cats and dogs.
Activities are currently taking place all across the country right now. Click on the link above to see how you can get involved.
I asked my mom to make a donation to a local organization called Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA). They help make low cost spay and neutering possible in RI. You can contact them any time of the year to offer financial assistance. If you want to make a donation in honor of Spay Day 2007, call VSA at 401-433-1946.
Did you know?
In Rhode Island, a law has been passed requiring animal guardians to spay or neuter their cats if they are six months of age or older. Violators can be fined $75 for each month of noncompliance. Some guardians may choose to pay $100 for a breeder's license, but everyone knows that my first choice is always adoption!
Thousands of kittens and puppies are born every hour in the U.S. For millions, their fate is tragic and many are forced to suffer a miserable life, homeless and alone on the streets or locked away in a shelter until they are eventually euthanized through no fault of their own.
By spaying your cats and dogs, and helping to fund the spaying and neutering of other pets, you will not only take action to control pet overpopulation, but you will also help your furry family members live a longer life. Spaying your female pets helps prevent breast cancer and diseases of the uterus. Neutering your male pets, especially before 6 months of age, prevents testicular cancer. If your pets spend time outdoors, neutering them will help curb their desire to roam around the neighborhood in search of a mate. It will also prevent them from marking indoors and doing embarrassing things to the legs of your house guests!!
And, for those of you who think that an unneutered dog is incapable of guarding a home as well as a neutered dog can, I am here to dispel that myth. Just try to enter my home without permission! (Of course, I get a little extra confidence knowing that I have my sister, Keesha, as back-up!)
If you, or anyone you know, experiences financial difficulty paying for the full cost spay or neuter procedure, please know that help is available. Below are a few programs in the Ocean State that are tailored to help people with low incomes properly care for their pets’ wellbeing.
- R.I. Veterinary Medical Association 401-751-0944. For low income pet owners in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Go to www.rivma.org to print the application, which must be sent via U.S. Mail.
- Volunteer Services for Animals Providence, RI 401-433-1946 Offers very low cost programs for pets and feral cats.
- Defenders of Animals P.O. Box 5634 Weybosset Hill Station Providence, RI 02903 401-738-3710 Email: dennis@defendersofanimals.org www.defendersofanimals.org Statewide low cost spay/neuter program.